Campaign: Kerbal Space Station

← Satellite Network	Campaigns	Dunar Exploration Rovers →

This campaign is a work in progress.

The Kerbals had a global network of satellites up and running. Now came the need for a permanent space station up and running for research, Kerbin observation, and practicing for missions to Duna, among other scientific mumbo-jumbo. The world's space agencies came together to design and construct such as station. Several station concepts - Kir 2, Space Station Freedom, and Kolumbus - were combined to make one huge station called the Kerbal Space Station, or KSS.

Specifications

Length: 15-20 hours
Difficulty: 7/10 (Advanced)
Skills Needed:

Intermediate(+) navigation via maneuver node
Advanced orbiting
Intermediate understanding of launch windows
Advanced understanding of intercepts/rendezvous
Intermediate docking

For version: 0.18 and beyond

Recommended Mods

ISS and DREAMCHASER - This mod is the main source of parts for the KSS, and also includes Dreamchaser, a commercial spaceplane currently in testing.
Space Shuttle (SSP) for KSP - The main carrier of the KSS' modules into orbit.
Historical Rockets, Probes, and Stations series - It's back, and it's ready to fulfill it's full potential:
- Salyut Stations-Soviet Ferries - This pack includes Soyuz spacecraft that could easily represent the modern versions. The unmanned Progress resupply craft is also included.
- Soviet Rockets - The Soyuz and Proton launchers are in this pack.
Bluedog Design Bureau - If you don't want to rely solely on the Kerbiets for crew transfer, Kerbollo can be kept in service to suit those needs. Keep using the Saturn 1b, or use the Saturn INT-20 (for more information, visit Encylopedia Astronautica). BDB includes the APAS docking system, so you won't have to use a docking adapter.

The Goal

The goal of this campaign is to build and maintain a large space station.

Karya

Launch the first Module into orbit on your Kroton K rocket. This should have 2 solar panels, and carry fuel and have 8 RCS blocks to move the rest of station if need be. Launch the module on the Kroton, then deploy it into a low-Kerbin orbit.

Unity

This a simple "hallway" that connects the Kerbiets/Krussians and the Kerbican parts of the station. This flight is to be made by Space Shuttle Discovery. Once at the station, use the Kanadarm to attach Unity to Karya. You can stay for a few days to make sure everything is secure, as well as to conduct initial power-up of the station, but you must leave in a few day's time.

Kvezda

This module is to be launched the same way as Karya: on a Kroton-K rocket. This time, though, it is advised that you attach a space tug to Kvezda to dock it to Unity. Kvezda is where Krussian craft will dock, be they the Koyuz or the Progress.

K1 Truss and PMA-3

These modules, to be launched on Space Shuttle Discovery, are vital to the further construction of the station. The K1 Truss permits future expansion, while the PMA-3 is a docking adapter.

K6 Truss and Solar Arrays

Another truss, and large solar panels that will bring in more power than the station needs. To be launched on Space Shuttle Endeavor.

Destiny

The Kerbican science lab is ready for launch on Space Shuttle Atlantis. Scientists have been anticipating this mission, so much that the excitement made them lose sleep. Wake 'em up with a nice, loud SRB ignition from the launch! Just don't overdo it and drop the SRBs on their houses, though. Follow standard recovery protocol, dude.

Kanadarm2

The station is already starting to look like the concept art! Next up is the Kanadarm2, to be launched by Endeavor, which will be needed for further assembly of the station, as well as manipulating experiments and later on, commercial resupply craft.

Kwest

This airlock module, used for spacewalks, is to be launched by Atlantis. Don't forget transfer any Kerbals about to EVA into this module via the Connected Living Spaces mod, and follow "camp-out" procedures.

Kirs

This is a Krussian docking and airlock module. Instead of launching on a Space Shuttle, a Koyuz-U will bring it up on a routine crew rotation. Simply pull it out of the third stage of the rocket, and dock it wherever Wikipedia says it's dock at.

S0 Truss

Another Shuttle flight, another module. Atlantis is to deliver the S0 Truss to enable further expansion of the station.

K1 Truss

Time for another truss! Endeavor is to bring this one up.

At this point, stop construction for at least a week in real-life. The loss of Kolumbia has grounded the entire Space Shuttle program until a solution to the issue of foam shedding from the External Tank (a problem dating back to the first shuttle flight) can be solved. Of course, you can use Atlantis and/or Kerbollo to carry out rescue mission the likes of which has not been seen since the failed Kerbiet Munshot. As you may expect, Kerbollo was unaffected, and will continue the crew rotation cycle. Until Discovery makes the Return-To-Flight (RTF) mission, Kerbollo will be the only way the Kerbicans can get Kerbals in space.

If you don't want to wait, use the Saturn INT-21 (for more information, visit Encyclopedia Astronautica) to launch the modules and install RCS on the second stage to dock the modules while the shuttles are grounded.

Kylab

If you didn't de-orbit Kylab, it has just found a new lease on life. Use a Kerbollo spacecraft to bring it to the KSS and attach it. If using a stock approach, attach a Clamp-O-Tron Sr. to the other end of Kylab in anticipation. If using the modded approach, attach a normal Clamp-O-Tron to the other end of Skylab, and then attach a Clamp-O-Tron to one of the ISS modules. With Kylab added to the station, the Kerbicans can do away with the docking adapters.

K3/K4 Truss and Solar Arrays

The Shuttles are finally off the ground again, and not a moment too soon! The space agencies were starting to get restless, and the Kerbals were this close to getting stir-crazy and going at each other's throats as the amount of snacks aboard the station were limited owing to the small amount of storage space. Well, time to restart the assembly sequence! Another solar panel will provide additional power, while the trusses are necessary for continued construction. Atlantis is to be used for this mission.

Karmony (Node 2)

A new pressurized module is ready. This mission presents you with a new challenge: relocate a module. Yeah, the boys upstairs made some tweaks to the KSS design owing to delays caused by that whole fiasco with Kolumbia, and you'll need to use Discovery's Kanadarm to relocate the K6 Truss. Refer to Wikipedia to see where the Truss was moved to.

Kolumbus

The main element of the cancelled Keuropean station, Kolumbus will head up on Atlantis and provide a new laboratory for the Kerbals to use. Let's see how grass grows in space!

Dextre and Kapanese Logistics Module

KAXA, the space agency of Kapan, is now sending up it's modules, which will be followed eventually by the K-II Transfer Vehicle. Both are to be launched on Endeavor.

Kapanese Pressurized Module and KEM Robotic Arm

Another module, and another robotic arm are the focus of this flight by Discovery. The Kapanese have started chartering whole Kerbollo spacecraft just so they can oversee their modules.

S6 Truss and Solar Arrays

Power! We need more power! Discovery to the rescue! More solar panels, and another truss are to be delivered on this flight. Now the station REALLY looks like the concept art!

Kapanese Exposed Facility

Scientists have often wondered something: how would hot dogs react to a vacuum? The vacuum chambers on Kerbin were no help, if only because hungry lab technicians stole the hot dogs beforehand! Well, there's no thieves in space, so the Kapanese have devised an exposed facility. After delivery by Endeavor, see how hot dogs would reaction in a vacuum. Then, rinse and repeat with whatever you can find on the station! Just don't squander the food supplies to feed your curiosity and other assorted insane thoughts.

Koisk

Another docking module launched on a Koyuz instead of a shuttle. This module will afford Progress its own private docking port. In other words: reserved parking.

ExPRESS Logistics Carrier 1 and 2

These unpressurized payload platforms will enable us to store stuff that doesn't need to be in a pressurized environment. That does NOT include hot dogs, though! Send it up on Atlantis.

Cupola and Tranquility (Node 3)

Our boys and girls up there on the KSS have a great view of Kerbin...through tiny windows. The Cupola (which can be accomplished using the stock part), which is attached to the Tranquility node, will keep them satisfied until we can figure out how to build bigger windows on spacecraft.

Kassvet

This is module, to be delivered by Atlantis, used for storage and as an additional docking port. The KSS is looking good. Looking REALLY good!

EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 4

Another platform for things that don't need to be in a pressurized environment. We'll also be leaving the Keonardo MPLM (normally used to carry supplies) as a permanent addition to the station as what equates to a storage closet and garbage can.

Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, OBSS, and EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 3

It's the end of an era. On this, the penultimate Space Shuttle mission, Endeavor, on her final flight, delivers the modules that will top out the KSS. The last shuttle mission, to be flown by Atlantis, won't deliver anything except some supplies. Kerbollo will still come up, but until the Shuttle-C can be developed, it's the end of the assembly cycle. That's all there, there isn't anymore.

Final Word

Now the KSS was so large that it could be seen without a telescope. The public was ecstatic - finally, something they could look up and point at that wasn't the Mun! But astronomers were already dreaming bigger, and prototype designs for the Duna Exploration Rovers and the Joolileo probe were already being drafted.